Third grade marks a turning point in your child’s math journey. This year brings multiplication and division mastery. Fractions make their debut. Word problems grow more complex. The curriculum you choose now builds the base for all future math success.
After helping hundreds of families over seven years, I know which programs work best. Your ideal pick depends on how your child learns. It also depends on your available teaching time.
Quick Answer: Math-U-See Gamma excels for hands-on multiplication mastery. Singapore Math 3 builds exceptional problem-solving skills. Teaching Textbooks 4.0 offers full independence.
What Third Graders Need to Learn
The U.S. Department of Education outlines clear goals for this grade level. Your child should master these skills by year’s end:
- Times tables through 10
- Division facts through 10
- Understanding of multiplication as groups
- Basic fraction concepts
- Addition and subtraction with regrouping
- Area and perimeter calculations
- Time telling to the minute
- Multi-step word problems
Strong programs cover all these areas. Weak programs rush through topics. Some skip important foundations entirely.
Our Top Picks for Third Grade
1. Math-U-See Gamma – Best for Multiplication Mastery
Math-U-See Gamma focuses on multiplication all year. Steve Demme’s colored blocks show times tables as groups. Kids see that 4 times 6 means four groups of six.
My middle son struggled with memorizing facts. These blocks changed everything. After three months with Math-U-See, he had solid multiplication fluency. No more tears at math time.
Advantages:
- Blocks make multiplication visible
- DVD lessons teach for you
- Mastery approach builds confidence
- Built-in review maintains skills
Disadvantages:
- Less daily variety than other programs
- Quick learners may want faster pace
- Higher startup cost
Cost: About $145 for the complete set
Daily Schedule: Plan for 20-30 minutes including video, practice, and hands-on work.
2. Singapore Math Primary 3 – Best for Problem Solving
Singapore Math develops deep thinking skills. The bar model method for word problems gives kids a reliable strategy. It works from simple to complex scenarios.
The National Center for Education Statistics ranks Singapore students among the world’s top math performers. This curriculum brings that approach home. According to Cathy Duffy Reviews, it remains a top choice for developing mathematical reasoning.
Advantages:
- Outstanding word problem instruction
- Strong mental math development
- Prepares students for advanced work
- Budget-friendly pricing
Disadvantages:
- Requires significant parent involvement
- Can challenge struggling learners
- Less built-in review
Cost: About $60-80 for books
Daily Schedule: Allow 30-45 minutes with active parent teaching.
3. Saxon Math 3 – Best for Steady Progress
Saxon Math adds small bits of new material daily. Each lesson blends new concepts with lots of review. The meeting book has calendar activities that kids enjoy.
For children who feel overwhelmed by big chunks of new info, Saxon’s gentle approach prevents frustration. The daily practice cements skills before adding more.
Advantages:
- Gentle pace prevents overwhelm
- Constant review maintains all skills
- Scripted lessons ease prep
- Decades of proven results
Disadvantages:
- Lessons can run 45-60 minutes
- Meeting book needs daily setup
- Advanced learners may get bored
Cost: About $165 for home kit
Daily Schedule: Expect 45-60 minutes including meeting and lesson.
4. Teaching Textbooks 4.0 – Best for Independence
Teaching Textbooks handles all instruction through animated lessons. Third graders who read well can work on their own. The program teaches, grades, and tracks progress.
A working mom in my co-op told me: “Teaching Textbooks saved our homeschool. My daughter does math alone now. She actually enjoys it.”
Advantages:
- Full independence for capable students
- Automatic grading saves hours
- Fun animated instruction
- Unlimited tries on problems
Disadvantages:
- Requires daily screen time
- Limited hands-on work
- May not build deep understanding
Cost: About $67 per year
Daily Schedule: About 30-40 minutes of independent work.
5. Beast Academy Level 3 – Best for Gifted Kids
Art of Problem Solving made Beast Academy for advanced students. Comic-style books introduce complex concepts. Puzzles develop creative thinking skills.
My neighbor’s daughter finished other programs too quickly. Beast Academy finally challenged her. She loves puzzles that require thinking, not just computing.
Advantages:
- Genuinely challenging material
- Builds problem-solving creativity
- Engaging comic format
- Online games included
Disadvantages:
- Too hard for average students
- Requires mathematical maturity
- Can cause frustration if mismatched
Cost: About $60 per level
Daily Schedule: 30-45 minutes with parent guidance on tough problems.
6. RightStart Math Level D – Best for Deep Understanding
RightStart Mathematics uses an abacus and games. Dr. Joan Cotter designed it based on how children actually learn. Games replace worksheet drill work.
Kids don’t realize they’re practicing facts when playing games. This makes math time fun instead of dreaded.
Advantages:
- Outstanding number sense development
- Games replace boring drills
- Strong mental math skills
- Children enjoy math time
Disadvantages:
- Requires your presence throughout
- Higher cost than alternatives
- Non-traditional methods take adjustment
Cost: About $220 for complete level
Daily Schedule: Allow 30-45 minutes of active parent-child work.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Program | Style | Your Time | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math-U-See Gamma | Mastery + blocks | Low-Medium | Hands-on kids | $145 |
| Singapore 3 | Mastery + models | Medium-High | Deep thinkers | $60-80 |
| Saxon 3 | Daily spiral | Medium | Steady learners | $165 |
| Teaching Textbooks | Computer spiral | Minimal | Independent kids | $67 |
| Beast Academy 3 | Puzzles + comics | Medium | Gifted students | $60 |
| RightStart D | Games + abacus | High | Number sense | $220 |
How to Pick Your Match
Match Learning Style First
Hands-on learners thrive with Math-U-See blocks or RightStart’s abacus. They need to touch things to understand.
Visual learners do well with Singapore’s bar models or Beast Academy’s comics. Pictures help them grasp ideas.
Auditory learners benefit from Teaching Textbooks’ spoken lessons or Saxon’s scripted teaching. Hearing works better than reading for them.
Consider Your Time
Be honest about daily teaching time. If you’re working while homeschooling, independent options serve better. Teaching Textbooks may fit your life better than “ideal” programs that need constant involvement.
Evaluate Current Skill Level
Does your child need extra help with challenging concepts? Pick programs with lots of review. Saxon and Horizons offer constant reinforcement.
Is your child ready for challenge? Beast Academy or Singapore provides appropriate difficulty. Our complete curriculum guide has more detailed comparisons.
Tackling Multiplication: The Big Third Grade Challenge
Most third grade struggles center on multiplication. Here’s how each program handles it:
- Math-U-See dedicates the whole Gamma level to times tables. Blocks show groupings visually.
- Singapore Math teaches through mental strategies and place value understanding.
- Saxon introduces facts bit by bit, practicing throughout the year.
- Teaching Textbooks uses animated drills with instant feedback.
If multiplication seems like a potential struggle, Math-U-See’s intensive focus prevents frustration later.
Helpful Free Supplements
These tools work with any primary curriculum:
- Xtra Math – free daily fact practice taking just 5 minutes
- Prodigy Math – game-based practice that adapts to skill level
- Khan Academy – free video lessons and practice problems
- Multiplication.com – games just for times tables
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should third grade math lessons take?
Most kids do well with 30-45 minutes daily. This includes teaching, practice, and hands-on work. If lessons always run over an hour, the pace may need adjusting.
When should multiplication facts be memorized?
By year’s end, your child should know times tables through 10 automatically. This builds through steady practice all year. Don’t expect instant memorization.
Is it okay to use a different level than the grade?
Absolutely. Grade levels are guidelines only. If your child needs review, go back a level. If they’re advanced, move ahead. Match difficulty to ability, not age to grade.
Should I switch if my child struggles?
First identify the real problem. Is it the teaching approach? The pace? The practice amount? Often adjusting how you use a curriculum works better than starting over.
Can I combine parts from different programs?
Yes, many families do this successfully. You might use Singapore for teaching while adding Saxon drill pages. Just make sure you don’t create gaps by skipping topics.
How important are fractions in third grade?
Third grade provides crucial fraction foundations. While mastery comes later, starting now prevents the common fear of fractions. Use visual models and manipulatives to build comfort early.
Our Top Recommendation
For most families, Math-U-See Gamma offers the best combination. It has solid instruction. Parent involvement stays manageable. Learning truly sticks. The focused multiplication approach builds the skills third graders need most.
If your child excels in math and needs challenge, Singapore Math 3 develops outstanding problem-solving abilities. Just plan for more teaching time.
For families needing independence, Teaching Textbooks 4.0 delivers self-sufficiency while maintaining solid skills.
Whatever you pick, stick with it. Daily use of any solid curriculum beats occasional use of a “perfect” program. Start where your child is. Adjust as needed. Trust the process of building understanding one day at a time.
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